Road to Manama

Our guide to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour season finale, featuring predictions from London 3x3 players, Ashley Hamilton, Evan Walshe and Jerome Desrosiers.

Pool Stage Guide:

A chaotic end to the season has thrown the entire field into uncertainty and the Manama Final arrives without an obvious favourite. Late surges from emerging contenders and unexpected dips in form have unsettled the usual order which sets the stage for an intriguing showdown in Bahrain starting this Friday.

Dominant for much of the season, Serbian giants Ub have endured a recent drop in form, yet their early success kept them in the top seeding. Their reward is a place in Group A where they meet Riffa and Vienna. They will need to rediscover their sharpness to deal with two determined opponents, but it would still be the biggest shock of the event if they failed to progress.

Miami enter Group B as the standout name after a strong season with regular deep runs that have placed them among the serious challengers. Chongming and Hangzhou may not have collected major silverware this year but both teams have shown clear growth across the circuit and carry enough quality to disrupt the group. Miami are expected to control the pool but they must avoid any sense of comfort. If Chongming or Hangzhou bring early intensity they could pressure Miami and put themselves in the race for qualification. This group is far from straightforward.

Group C is perhaps the most evenly matched of the four. Amsterdam Rabobank arrive with renewed confidence after lifting the title in Bucharest. Raudondvaris Hoptrans have impressed throughout the season and proved they can beat the strongest teams. Partizan bring deep experience and the ability to overpower opponents when games become tight. Early momentum will be decisive in this group. Amsterdam will look to take control from the first game, while Raudondvaris can blow the competition wide open if they produce a fast start. Partizan will aim to stay close and use their composure in pressure moments to push through.

Liman enter Group D with a proven track record and a reputation for delivering in high pressure moments. Toulouse arrive after a steady campaign, showing enough quality throughout the season to remain a genuine threat despite some uneven stretches of form. Skyliners round out the group after earning their spot through the qualifiers, a route that has already given them meaningful court time and the chance to build momentum at exactly the right moment.

London 3x3 Predictions:

Ashley Hamilton believes Miami are the team to beat. He highlights the impact Mitch Hahn can have if he produces a strong tournament and notes that Henry Caruso adds another level of depth that makes Miami a difficult matchup for any opponent. He still respects the season that Ub have put together and accepts that they cannot be dismissed, yet Miami remain his pick for the title.

Jerome Desrosiers is even more direct. He sees Miami lifting the trophy and places a lot of that confidence in the influence of his friend Henry Caruso who has raised his level as the season has progressed. For Jerome the momentum is with Miami.

Evan Walshe stays loyal to the team most observers would have chosen for most of the year. He backs Ub to finish the job, convinced that their overall quality will surface once again. At the same time he sees genuine danger coming from Chongming who he believes could surprise a few teams.

The author's pick is Amsterdam Rabobank. I have gone with them as their rise in form has come at the perfect time and Worthy De Jong remains one of the most dangerous players in the format. It is a choice backed by recent results and also made to offer something different from the consensus!

Who do you think will emerge victorious?